Final answer:
During the Vietnam War, Forward Air Controllers (FACs) operated small aircraft to identify targets, mark them, and manage airspace for effective and safe attack missions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individuals who flew small light aircraft during the Vietnam conflict to identify and mark targets, as well as manage the airspace, were known as Forward Air Controllers (FACs). Their crucial role in assisting ground troops by determining enemy positions and coordinating air strikes was pivotal in the conflict's aerial strategy. Beyond target identification and marking, FACs orchestrated the complex airspace over combat areas to ensure the effectiveness and safety of attack missions.